I recently saw a headline for an article on helping businesses to reach more potential consumers. The keys were to:

Be real
Be honest
Be relatable

I pondered those elements and how they could apply to Embrace Activism. Reaching out and connecting to potential consumers makes sense of course. I’ve got to say, however, the first thing that popped into my head was Jack Nicholson’s line “You can’t handle the truth” from A Few Good Men. Well, okay, maybe not you specifically, but you in general, as in the majority of adults in the United States.

Did you know that 41% of Americans will get cancer?

That was the conclusion of a study presented to the President’s Cancer Panel.  Chronic disease dramatically affects your quality of life too. In 2010, over 10% of the population of adults 20 years and older is impacted by diabetes; that percentage rises to more than 25% for adults 65 years and older.  What about heart disease and stroke? Heart disease and stroke is the number one killer of Americans, accounting for 42% of all deaths each year.

Those are some grim statistics, but you shouldn’t think illness or disease as a fait au complet. YOU DO HAVE A SAY IN YOUR HEALTH AND WELLNESS!

But it doesn’t come in the form of a pill….even the new diet pill Belviq. Only obese individuals will have access to Belviq, but even taking the pill for weight loss will require physical activity and a healthy diet. And you should read about the side effects! Keep in mind the dosage/potency of the pill was lowered due to possible heart damage.

When you only have one body WHY would you risk harming it?

The cold, hard facts—the unvarnished truth—on staying healthy:
It requires effort on your part.
It takes time.
It’s NOT easy.
It’s something you’ll have to do for as long as you’re alive.

Keeping it real and honest here…I know how hard it is to get and stay fit. For various reasons, I've started from scratch several times over the years. It starts by using your body. There are so many different activities to choose. I advocate yoga for all, but if that’s not something you’re interested in fine…just find a way to move! And moving doesn’t have to feel like exercise! Gardening, dancing, walking the dog are great ways to move. Cookies, cakes, pies…soda, milkshakes, beer…fries, chips, candy—and all the other treats out there don’t have to be sworn off forever. Plan your treats and balance out your caloric intake with your caloric output. You might be like me and chocolate. I really, really like chocolate—and not the healthier version, dark chocolate either, I like milk chocolate. One of the extra benefits of exercising is I have some extra calories to indulge in my love of chocolate every so often.

Advocating for yoga again---yoga cultivates awareness. Instead of mindlessly stuffing your mouth with food, you’ll notice tastes more. You’ll notice how you feel during and after eating...you’re able to assess how different foods react/work for you. Yoga can reacquaint you with your body. You’ll marvel with the work your body does for you. Movements and actions available to you will increase…you’ll have more body control. Our bodies were made to move. And moving also improves our moods or mental outlook. Yoga will help you develop a confidence in your body—expanding what you thought you could/can/will do. In a wonderfully Pavlovian way, people tend to continue with behaviors anytime they’re positively rewarded. Yoga can be your gateway to overall health and wellness.

There are no reruns for Life, you’ve got one shot—being healthy and well makes the most of the time you’re given. Think about your family and friends. I would venture to say we all know someone who has or is battling cancer. No one wants to see a loved one suffer. No one wants to lose a loved one early.

The goals of Embrace Activism are:
1. To bring more people to health and wellness through yoga practice
2. To support charities dedicated to research, treatment and ultimately CURES

Tell me, can you handle the truth?

Health, Wellness & CURES!!!
Karen